In 1930, after putting in time at MGM and RKO, Paramount executive David O. Selznick married Irene Mayer, the daughter of L.B. Mayer. Irene’s father would soon thereafter bring Selznick to MGM to fill in for an ailing Irving Thalberg, but MGM was too small for Selznick’s dreams. He started his own independent studio, through which he created the original A S ... Show More
Nov 2015
66: MGM Stories Part 11: David O. Selznick Part Two: Jennifer Jones and Robert Walker
In 1941, Selznick signed a young actress named Phylis, who was then married to actor Robert Walker. Selznick renamed Phylis “Jennifer Jones,” and set to work turning her into a star, helping her to earn an Oscar for her first film under her new name. Selznick and Jones also began ... Show More
43m 28s
Dec 2015
68: MGM Stories Part 13: Gloria Grahame
Gloria Grahame arrived in Hollywood in 1944, after Louis B. Mayer personally plucked her from the New York stage, and changed her name. But Grahame was the rare actress who Mayer didn’t know how to turn into a star. Finally in 1947, Mayer gave up on Grahame and sold her contract ... Show More
41m 47s
Sep 2023
The Great Escape (1963) and Rocky III (1982)
For the latest episode of the Film Stories podcast, a war movie, a boxing movie, and a few problems in the making of both.
1963's The Great Escape was a film that director John Sturges couldn't initially get off the ground, and he needed his success with The Magnificent Seven to ... Show More
56m 11s
Apr 2021
New series: Death of a Film Star (Marilyn Monroe)
From the makers of We Didn't Start The Fire, this is Death of a Film Star. If you'd like to hear more, search for 'Death of a Film Star' in your favourite podcast platform, or click here: https://podfollow.com/1562008537. WARNING: this episode contains references to suicide. It’s ... Show More
31m 56s
Feb 2016
George Miller - 'Mad Max: Fury Road'
The 70-year-old Aussie, a best picture and best director Oscar nominee for the fourth installment in his 37-year-old franchise, discusses its origin and evolution, his problems with Hollywood and making an instant-classic with two bickering stars.
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53m 12s